Jillian Kirchner, a former standout at Boston University with an array of coaching and playing experience, enters her third season as an assistant coach with the Brown women’s ice hockey program in 2015-16.

In her first year with the team in 2013-14, Kirchner helped guide goalie Aubree Moore ’14 to All-Ivy and All-ECAC honors, Sarah Robson ’15 to NEHWA Unsung Hero accolades, and 17 Bears to ECAC All-Academic laurels. In 2014-15, she aided the team in claiming the Mayor’s Cup from crosstown rival Providence College for the third time in four years and to a 3-2 mark against Hockey East opponents.

Kirchner spent the 2012-13 season as an assistant coach for the St. Norbert College women's ice hockey team and was responsible for planning and implementing daily practice and game routines, analyzing video, planning road trips and coordinating the team's recruiting efforts. During her year with the Green Knights she helped guide the team to an 18-10-2 overall record and a victory over UW-River Falls in the NCHA O'Brien Cup playoffs championship game. The win earned St. Norbert its first berth in the NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Championships.

Her coaching experience extends beyond the collegiate level, as she has served as the head coach for several youth hockey development programs, including B9 Hockey Training, the Wisconsin Elite Hockey League and in Green Bay Girls Hockey Performance Development Sessions. Kirchner has also worked various hockey camps and showcases around the country over the past six years, helping to plan and implement a structured curriculum that develops players' skills both on and off the ice. Her skills and expertise have made her a valuable asset to the Cammi Granato Hockey Schools, the Pro Ambitions Hockey School, Brown Hockey Camps and the Chicago Fury Elite Showcase.

In addition to her coaching knowledge, Kirchner brings a wealth of playing experience at the highest levels of the sport. A four-year member of the women's ice hockey team at Boston University, she served as an assistant captain during her senior year and helped the Terriers win the Hockey East Championship in 2010. The team made it past the first round in the NCAA Division I tournament during her sophomore and senior campaigns, and played its way into the national championship game during the 2011 season.

Kirchner was named a Hockey East All-Star in 2011 and earned a spot on the Hockey East 10th Anniversary All-Star Team in 2012. Additionally, after being drafted 37th overall by the Boston Blades in 2011, she spent the 2011-12 season with the program and competed as a professional hockey player in the Canadian Women's Hockey League.

Kirchner graduated from Boston University in 2011 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Special Education with a focus on Moderate Disabilities in students from kindergarten to eighth grade. In addition to her coaching duties at St. Norbert, she also spent time as a gym and health teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School in De Pere, Wisconsin.

"I am really excited to be joining the Brown Bear family and being a part of such a distinguished institution," said Kirchner upon her hire. "I am eager to bring both my previous playing and coaching experiences to Brown University. I look forward to new challenges that the Division I level will bring."